History As It Happens: What Happened to Worker Solidarity?

Host: Martin Di Caro
Release Date: February 4, 2025

Introduction

In the February 4, 2025 episode of History As It Happens, host Martin Di Caro delves into the pressing question: "What Happened to Worker Solidarity?" The episode explores the decline of labor unions, the erosion of collective worker power, and the contemporary challenges facing worker solidarity in the United States. Through insightful discussions with historian Michael Kazin and commentator J.D. Vance, the episode traces the historical roots of labor movements and examines the current political and economic landscape affecting workers' unity.

The Decline of Labor Unions

Martin DeCaro opens the discussion by highlighting the significant reduction in union membership:

J.D. Vance (00:50): "CEO pay has gone up enormously since 1990. The average worker's pay has only gone up by 4%."

Michael Kazin provides a historical perspective on the ebb and flow of social movements:

Michael Kazin (01:03): "The sad truth about social movements is that they usually have a period when they surge, when they're gaining support, then they consolidate for a while, often with political support. Inevitably, they decline..."

He underscores the long-term decline of unions in the private sector, emphasizing the challenges of revitalizing union strength in a modern, often hostile political environment.

Historical Context: From Occupy to Present

The conversation shifts to the legacy of the Occupy Wall Street movement and its impact on public discourse around economic inequality:

Martin DeCaro (02:21): "The Occupy encampments... got people talking about underlying problems like economic inequality, corporate greed, the influence of money in politics..."

Despite the movement's fading, the seeds of economic discontent and the desire for greater worker equity remain pertinent.

The PRO Act Debate

The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act emerges as a focal point in the struggle to bolster union rights:

J.D. Vance (05:56): "The problem with the PRO Act is in some ways it doubles down on a lot of the failed things that we've done... We have to think about a new model for the 21st century..."

Kazin critiques the PRO Act, arguing that without Senate support due to the filibuster, its potential remains unrealized:

Michael Kazin (05:22): "The PRO Act got nowhere in the Senate because of the filibuster. It would have protected workers seeking to form a union from retribution..."

Historical Perspective: The AFL vs. IWW

A significant portion of the episode contrasts the American Federation of Labor (AFL) with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), illustrating different approaches to unionism:

Michael Kazin (24:13): "The IWW was founded by radicals, by socialists, in many cases, also by anarchists, who believed that the only way to liberate workers from capitalism was to organize all workers into one big union."

The AFL's more pragmatic approach under leaders like Samuel Gompers is contrasted with the IWW's revolutionary zeal:

Michael Kazin (33:26): "The AFL knew how to organize unions... pure and simple unionism. They pursued very practical goals in a very practical way."

This historical analysis highlights why the AFL achieved greater longevity and influence compared to the IWW, which ultimately declined after World War I due to government repression and internal challenges.

The Erosion of Worker Solidarity

The conversation addresses the fragmentation of the modern workforce and the challenges this poses to collective action:

Michael Kazin (14:46): "Unions are not a reality in the lives of most workers. They have not been members of a union usually. Sometimes their parents were members of a union."

Kazin emphasizes the weakening of institutional support for labor organizing, making it harder for workers to develop a unified front:

Michael Kazin (39:08): "Without institutions that are durable, it's very hard to do that in any kind of powerful way."

The Future of Worker Solidarity

Looking ahead, the episode contemplates the potential pathways for fostering worker solidarity in a landscape where traditional unions are struggling:

Martin DeCaro (38:27): "With so many industries today, so many jobs not conducive to organizing, to unionization, I'm not sure where the worker solidarity is going to come from..."

Kazin suggests that without strong institutional backing, such as robust government support or innovative organizing strategies, the resurgence of worker solidarity remains uncertain:

Michael Kazin (41:11): "So, and it's a real problem. I mean, I'm a historian of social movements, and the sad truth about social movements is that they usually have a period when they surge... but it's a sad thing."

Conclusion

What Happened to Worker Solidarity? provides a comprehensive exploration of the historical and contemporary factors contributing to the decline of labor unions and worker unity. Through engaging dialogue, Martin Di Caro, Michael Kazin, and J.D. Vance illuminate the complexities of labor organizing in today's economy, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of the past and present challenges facing worker solidarity. The episode underscores the importance of durable institutions and innovative approaches to reclaim collective power in an ever-evolving labor landscape.

Notable Quotes

• Michael Kazin (00:41): "This is about people power and it's about occupying not merely a square, but it's about occupying our authority to be in charge of the future."
• J.D. Vance (02:21): "While CEO pay has gone up enormously since 1990, the average worker's pay has only gone up by 4%."
• Michael Kazin (25:51): "The IWW was not exactly trying to overthrow the government specifically, but didn't matter, of course, the law was on the books and hundreds of IWW members were put in jail..."
• Michael Kazin (33:26): "Pure and simple unionism. They pursued very practical goals in a very practical way."
• J.D. Vance (05:56): "We got to think about a new model for the 21st century because that's going to be better for American workers..."
• Michael Kazin (41:11): "The sad truth about social movements is that they usually have a period when they surge, when they're gaining support, then they consolidate for a while... but it's a sad thing."

Further Listening

To gain a deeper understanding of the pivotal role played by labor movements in shaping American society, listen to the full episode of History As It Happens: What Happened to Worker Solidarity? available every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe to Martin Di Caro’s newsletter for more historical insights delivered every Friday.